Tape serving machine



Aus. 31, 1943. T. H. KRUEGER 2,328,022

TAPE SERVING MACHINE Filed Jan. 20, `1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l Aug- 31, 1943. T. H. KRUEGER 2,328,022

TAPE SERVING MACHINE Filed Jan. zo, 1942 s sheen-sheet 2 INVENToR #fiona/ef #Afef/565e @f4-25.- ATTORNEYS Finire 1. l y

- lFigure 4 is a section taken Figure 1, parts being broken away; andV lapparatus embodying Patented Aug. 3l, 1943 2,323,022 TAPE SERVING insoumis Theodore H. Krueger, Stratford, Conn., assigner to Better Packages Incorporateia corporation oi New York Application January zo, 1942, serial No. 427,413

f 17 Claims.

. f ,a This invention relates to an improved apparatus for serving measured lengths of strips or tape which are covered or impregnated on one or both sides, thereof with a pressuregsensitive adhesive usually tacky or non-drying eitherpermanently or during the period of use. 4T'he in- .vention has particular utility in the various fields of use to which pressure sensitive adhesive tape `is applied and especially is useful where the tape is required -in short lengths such as fractional parts of afoot. It eliminates the tedious nuisanco and ^waste involved in cutting inaccurate lengths with 4' ordinary scissors and provides a simple and easy operating mechanism for speedily stripping from the roll, measuring, cutting and delivering at a point ready for usethe desired length of tape. 'f

The improved apparatus contemplates mechanical means for stripping the material or tapefrom theoroll in predetermined lengths and comprises generally a :turntablehaving tape mounting E@ or supports situated about its periphery, the being positioned at some time during the revolution of the turntable to engage the strip grasping it .by the inherent adhesive quality of tape and to strip it either directly from the roll, or pick it up as positioned in its path from the roll by a guide means. The invention also contemplates the provision ofvknife carrying plunger mecha 4 nism associated with the said tape mounting pins,

the said association-)bams eneeuve to permit the y severing of the tape strip by movement of the.

knife vmounting plunger after the tape has been stripped from the roll and is held by its own adhe-. siveness on the tape mounting pins. 'I'he lnvention also contemplates the provision of stop actuated detents which present the plunger and its associated knife 'in theproper position for elective cutting at the proper time. f ln the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and which illustrate lo 'ne preferred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of an the principles of the invention. '4, n'

Figure 2 is a top view-of this apparatus, parts being shown in section and a portion of the tape roll being broken away.

struction comprises a-base I0 which has. a raised boss near one end thereof, and a well i l2 near the other end thereof, surrounded by a wall |13. The boss carries a vertical stud H5, and rotatably mounted on this stifd and resting on the top of the boss is a holder ||1 on which rests a horizontally pled roll of tacky strip or tape |20.

'- The base is also provided with a vertical standard |22 which carries a stud |23 upon which is pivoted a guide roller |24. From the bottom of E the well ||2 projects a boss |25 which carries a vertical rotatablestud |28 on the upper end of which is mounted a rotary table |30. The 'table |30 carries a plurality of pairs of tape supporting pinsl |35, four pairs of such pins being shown in the example of the invention illustrated. These pins areprovided with tape engaging surfaces..

they being preferably formed of smooth metal to which the tape will adhere. but from which it may be readily pulled by the operator when removing the severed sections of tape.v As shown in Figure 2, the tape passes from the roll around the idler |24 and then is engaged with the pins |35. The tape adheres to the nearest pin and when the table is rotated in the direction ofI the arrow in Figure 2, the tape will be drawn from the roll and will contact the successive pairs of pins. The tape may be severed between the pairs of pins'. and the pieces removed by hand.

In thev constr-uction illustrated knives are.

.top of a plunger tube |44, which slid'sin a hole in the turntable and through a corresponding' hole in a guide block secured to the under side of the turntable. 0n the top of the plunger is mounted a key head l| which is preferamy provided with a finger recess |5l. Each, plunger i is preferably urged intoits upper position, as

. Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3 2 of B the line L4-vo:

` shown by the plunger on the right in Figure 1, by

a coiled spring |54 which bears against th under side of the knife Jholder and at itsbottom is sup- Vported upon a stirrup |56, the upper ends off- Vwhich are secured to the guide biock 44,5. The' stirrupvis shown as carrying a central guide roll |51 which keeps the spring-|54 in alignment.

When the key head |50 is depressed it ,forc'es down the 'knife |40; and causes the latter to sever the tape`which is firmly held at each side ofthe'- point of severance by its engagementwith adiaf cent pins |35. When the key head is depressed it is 'preferably locked in depressed position by v the depression of the key at station F now occumeans of a spring |60 secured to theguide block |45 and the lower end of which engages a. lug' |6| formed at the bottom of the plunger tube. The plunger is held in the depressed position until it is released by a trip roller |63 mounted on the base plate at the bottom of the well which engages the trip piece |65 secured to thev spring |60.

Means are also preferably provided to lock the turntable in successive positions corresponding with predetermined positions of the pairs of pins |35. The tape locking means shown comprises downwardly tapered springs secured at their upper ends to the guide blocks |45 and adapted to successively engage a notch |1| in a keeper block |12 secured to the bottom of the well.

In order to prevent any portion'of the tape, especially the severed portion thereof, in case it should become detached from the pins |35, from being pushed `or blown over the turntable where it might become fouled with the plunger or other parts, a series of upright pins |18 may be provided which project upwardly` from the turntable just inside of the line oi the tape when stretched between the pins |35. In normal operation the tapewill not'become attached to these pins, but if it should touch the surfaces which are small, the tape will come right away from them. A guidevplate |19 is also preferably provided adjacent to the position where the operator grasps the severed section of tape to remove the same, the plate assisting the operator in properly 1ocating his fingers to grasp and remove the severed section.

The normal operation of the mechanism described is as follows: The successive positions stations E, F, G, and H, (Figure 2). The tape contacts the rst set of pins at station E and passes around the pins atstation F and termi.- nates at the i-lrst pin at station G. In the course of normal operation of they device, a previously severed section of tape |115 will be in the machine between the second pin at station Gi and the irst pin'at station H. This section of tape reel. The section of tape which was severed by pies the position |15 between stations G and H,

l of the f our sets of pins may be designated as is ready for removal by the operator w o will y pick it olf with his ngers and-apply it to the package being sealed or other article upon which it is to be used. At this time the table is locked against rotation by engagement ofthe spring |10 at stationF in the notch in 'keeper block |12 which is locatedat station F. There is then no' danger of displacing the table in the operation of removing the cut section of tape. To obtain another piece of tape the operator presses down the key at station F which will cause the 'knife at i that station to be depressed and to sever the tape between the tw'o pins at station F. `The pressing down of the plunger also causes the lug |6| thereon to snap under the end of the spring |60 so that the key and plunger and knife areyheld in depressed position. The pressing down of the plunger also causes -asecond lug |16 at the 'lower .fend of 'the plunger` to engage the tape holding' and may be readily removed. The opera n ow depresses the' next key which is at the stat n F, thus severing another strip and. rotates the reel --through another one-quarter turn. The Akeys at stations G and H remain locked in down position so that they are out of the Way and do not inter-A fere with the ready removal of the severed strip of tape. As the key moves from station H to station E, however, the trip piece |65 at the lower end of spring contacts the trip roller |63 and is moved out so as to release the lug |6| on the plunger, which immediately springs up to its raised position. Thus when the plunger reaches station E the knife is up and the tape winds on the pins |35 below the knife, as shown in Figure 1, and the plunger and knifev remain up until they reach station F, when they may be depressed, as already described. The apparatus thus serves accurately measured lengths of tape which are held in vertical position upon two of the pins |35. The fingers of the operator may be placed over this severed section which is readily accessible for removal.

The subject matter of this application represents in part an embodiment of Aand in part an improvement overv the subject matter of invention disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 393,231, led May 13, 1941. Those features of invention common to the two cases are claimed broadly in said copending application and are therefore not claimed herein.,

While I have illustrated and described in detail certain forms of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as limiting^myself to the use of such forms, as I realize that changes within thescope of the invention are possible, and I further intend each element or instrumentality recited in any of the following claims to be understood to refer to all equivalent elements or iristrumentalities for accomplishing substantially :the samer result in substantially the same or equivalent manner, it being my purpose to cover my invention broadly in whatever form its principlel may be utilized.

1. In a machine for dispensing tacky tape. means for rotatably supporting a roll of'tape with its axis vertical, and a reel mounted adjacent thereto for rotation about a vertical axis,'said into the recess in thekeeper block again locking the vtable and insuring that nomore than the measured length-or ta'pencan be drawn' on to the reel including spaced vertical tape supporting nfembers to which the tapee is adapted to be adhered. o

2. In a machine for dispensing tacky tape, means for rotatably supporting a roll of ltape with its axis vertical, and a reel mounted adjacent thereto for rotation about a vertical axis,

3. In a device for dispensing tacky tape, means rotatably supporting a; roll of tape and a reel mounted adjacent thereto for rotation about an axis parallel with the axis of rotation of/the'roll oi tape, said reel having spaced supports thereon adapted to'successivelyengage*and adhere to the tape as the reel is rotated, means forsevering the tapeadjacent' to said supports, .and releasable means for locking the reel against rotation with the tape engaging supports at predetermined stations. I

asaaoas s knife means movable parallel to the axis of rotation of the reel, and means movable with said knife means when actuated to se'ver the tape for releasing the reel locking me s.

o. In a device for `dispe ing tackyjsape, means rotatably supporting. a roll oi' tape; and a reel entialiy arranged on the turntable, the supports of each pair being placed close together with a narrow space between them.

9. In an apparatus for dispensing tacky tape. means for supporting a roll of tape, 'a turntable rotatable about a substantially vertical axisl and upright supports mounted on said turntable and spaced at intervals about the same, said supports having surfaces to which the tape may be ad-V hered by' its own adhesive qualities, the adherence between theV tape and said supports acting to unwind the Atape from the roll and wind it about said supports as the turntable is turned, said supports being mounted in pairs circumferentially arranged on the turntable, the supports of each pair being placed close together. and knife meansmounted 'on the turntable adjacent to each pair mounted adjacent thereto-for rotation about an axis parallel with theaxis of rotation of the roll of tape, said reel having spaced supports of supports and movable betweenthe supports of each pair to sever the tape transversely between such pair oi' supports.

King- V to thereon adapted to successively engage and adhere to the tape as the reel is rotated, means for severing the tape adjacent to said Supports, vand lreleasable means for locking the reel against rotal0. In a device for dispensingA tacky tape, means for 'supporting a roll of tape, a turntable mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, upright supports carried by -said turntable at tion with the tape engaging supports atprede- 2 5 .spaced intervals about the circumference there- 'termined stations, saidtape severing means comprising knife means movable parallel to the axis of rotation of the reel, 'means movable with said knife means when actuated to severthe tape or releasing the .reel locking means, and means for 30 releasably locking the knife means at the limit .of its cutting motion after it' has been actuated` to sever the tape.

-oft vertically movable plungers carried by said turntable adjacent to said supports, and knife means carried by said plungers movable across the`path of the tape adjacent 'the supports.

ll.' In a device for dispensing tacky tape, means for supporting a roll of tape', a turntable mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis,

6. In a device for dispensing tacky tape, means rotatably supporting a roll of tape, and a reel mounted adjacenirthereto for rotation about an axis parallel with the axis of rotation of the rou of tape, said reel having spacedsupports thereon adapted to successively engage and adhere to the tape as the reel is rotated, means for severing the tape adjacent to said supports, and release able means for locking the reel againstrotation with the tape engaging supports atl predetermined stations, said tape severing means comprising knife means movable parallel to the axis of rotation of the reel, means movable with said knife means when actuated to sever the tape for` releasing the reel locking means, means for releasably locking the knife means at the limit of itscutting motion after it has been actuated to sever the tape. and means for vreleasing said knife means and restoring the same to initial position I after the reel has rotated through a predeter mined portion of a complete revolution.

7. `In an apparatus for dispensing tacky tape. means for supporting a roll of tape, a turntable having surfaces to which the tape may be adupright supports carriedby said turntable at spaced intervals about .the circumference thereoi', vertically .movable plungers carried by said turntable adjacent to said supports, knife means carried by said plungers movable across the path of the tape adjacent the supports, latch means for locking each plunger at one limit of its movement,'means'for unlatching said latch means at a predetermined point of the movement of the hered by its own adhesive'qualities, the adhero ence between the tape and said supports acting about said supports as the turntableis turned.

' A 8. In an apparatus for dispensing tacky tape,

means for supporting a roll of tape. a turntable rotatable about' a' substantially vertical axis and upright supports mounted on said turntable and spaced at intervals about the same. said supports having surfaces to which thev tape may be adhered by itsown adhesive qualities, .the adherence between the tapeand said supports actind the tape from the roll and wind it about s d supports as the turntable is turned, said supports being mounted in pairs circumfer-'-` turntable, and spring means forreturning the plungers to initial position when said latch means are released.

' 12. In a device for dispensing tacky tape. means for supporting a roll o f tape, a turntable mounted for rotation` about I substantially vertical axis. upright supports ca ed' by said turntable at spaced intervals' about fthe circumference thereof. vertically `movable piungers carriedvby said turntable adjacent'to said supports, knife means carried by said plungers movable across'th'e path 0f the tape ,adjacent the supports, latch means for locking each plunger at, one limit of its movement, means for unlatching' said latch means at a predetermined point of the movement of the turntable, spring means for returning the plung- Aer to its initial position whensaidslatch means are released. and means for locking the turntable against rotation in predetermined positions of such rotation. said means being releasabie by.

l movement ofthe piunger'sV in tape cutting direc-l to unwind the tape, from the roll and .wind it tion. w

18. In an apparatus for dispensing tacky tape,- a base. meanhthereon for supporting a roll of tape for rotationabout *a substantially vertical axis. a turntable mounted on said base for rotation -about a. substantially vertical-axis, ytape BUPDOX'FBS pins projecting upwardly from said turntable, vsaid pins being arrangedl in pairs spaced circumferentially about said turntable. the

'pins ofveach pair being 4arranged sideqby side circumferentially with respect to said table, plunger; mounted on said turntable adjacent to each of pins and movable vertically through holes in said turntable, a knife carried by' each plunger near the upper end thereof and movable transversely between a pair of pins so as to sever the tape supported thereon when the plunger` is moved downward through its hole in the turntable, a nnger key lmounted on the top of each plunger, spring means for urging each plunger upwardly, latch means for locking each plunger in its depressed position, trip means for releasing said latch means at a predetermined position of the turntable, a keeper mounted on the base of@ the apparatus, and a plurality of locking devices on the turntable, one associated with each/plunger, said locking devices being adapted to successively engage said keeper for temporarily locking the turntable yagainst movement. each of said locking devices being releasable by depression of its plunger to release the turntable when the plunger is depressed to actuate the knife means carried thereby to sever the strip of tape.V

14. Mechanism for dispensing adhesive tape from a roll comprising a rotatable element, means rotatable with the element and to which the adhesive face of the tape will adhere, for unwinding the tape fromltherroll, and a plurality of cutting devices carried by and rotatable with the element, each cutting device being movably mounted on the element and manually shiftable for severing a strip from the `tape adhering to the wheel. 15. Mechanism for dispensing adhesive' tape from a roll comprising a rotatable wheel, means rotatable with the wheel and to which the ad'- hesiveface of the tape will adhere, for unwinding theytape from the roll, and a plurality of cutting devices carried by and rotatable with the wheel, each cutting device being movably mounted on the wheel and manually shiftable for s vering a strip from the tape adhering to the eel.

16. In'tape dispensing mechanism, the combination with a. support provided with means for rotatably supporting a roll'of adhesive tape, of a rotatable wheel on said support, peripheral surfaces, spaced apart circumferentially, rotatable with the wheel and to which the adhesive face of the tape will adhere for unwinding the tape from the roll, said surfaces being rotatable in the plane of the roll, and a plurality of cutting devices carried by and rotatable with the wheel, each cutting device comprising a cutter which is manually shiftable through the tape onthe wheel at a point adjacent to, but more advanced in the direction of lrotation of the Wheel than a peripheral surface to which the tape is adhered, for severing a stripfrom the tape. l

17. In a device for dispensing tacky tape, means rotatably supporting aA roll of tape, and a reel mounted adjacent thereto for rotation about an axis parallel with the axis of rotation of theroll lof tape, said reel having spaced supports thereon movable knife means and means movable with said knife means when actuated to sever the tape for releasing the reel locking means.

THEODORE H. KRUEGER. 

